Portsmouth have decided to make an official complaint to the FA about the verbal abuse of Sol Campbell by visiting supporters of Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park six days ago. Hampshire Police asked the FA to investigate the abuse, which was condemned this week as “awful” by Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager.

“Both Sol and the club feel no player should be subjected to personal abuse of this nature and that it has no place in football,” a club statement read. “The club will co-operate fully in any investigations that take place either by the FA or by Hampshire Police, who are also conducting their own investigation.”

Despite leading Portsmouth into the group phase of the Uefa Cup, thanks to a 2-2 draw after extra time away to Vitória Guimarães in the second leg of their debut in Europe on Thursday, Redknapp is concerned at the effect of such gruelling trips on his threadbare squad. Extra time that followed a kick-off delayed to 9.35pm local time to satisfy the demands of television stretched the match past midnight and Redknapp hinted that he could field weakened teams in the competition in future.

“It’s great for the club to be in the group phase, but it’s hard,” he said. “It was 2 in the morning by the time we got back to the hotel and we’ve got another big game [at home to Stoke City] on Sunday. Can I get another game out of those players? How do you get Sol Campbell to play again on Sunday? This competition takes a lot out of your players. We play a very fit, physical team in Stoke and we will have to be at our best to get a result.

“I watched Palermo murder West Ham two years ago and I said they’d win the competition. Then they played at home to Newcastle and played 11 reserves. That’s where their priorities were.”

Redknapp would not rule out doing the same. “I didn’t want to go out in the first round, but we’ll have a look at it now,” he said. “The most important thing is the Premier League, every time.”

Alexandre Gaydamak, the owner, did not bother to attend, suggesting that he does not value the competition, but the 3,000 supporters who enjoyed their trip to Portugal do, as does Peter Crouch, whose goals in extra time - including his 100th in club football - won the tie. He left Liverpool for Portsmouth in July in search of a regular place, including in Europe.

”I’m relishing being involved in what are big games,” he said.

“This is a big competition, and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve come from a club where it’s chopped and changed all the time, so I’m just loving every minute of playing every game. We’ve played extra time here, and then we’ve got another game on Sunday. It’s certainly going to take a lot out of us, but we’re all professionals so if we prepare right I’m sure we’ll be fine.”